BLM faces $480 million cut, administration proposes transferring Forest Service fire management to Interior

The Bureau of Land Management would lose $480 million under the proposed budget, while a more controversial proposal would transfer all U.S. Forest Service wildland fire management operations to Interior. The transfer drew criticism from Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and others, who argued it would subordinate Forest Service decision-making on fire and fuels management. (Senate, Apr. 29, 2026)